By Associated Press
Dothan, AL – Federal criminal court trials will return to Alabama's Wiregrass Region in January.
Criminal trials in U.S. district court ended in Dothan almost 15 years ago because of security concerns and a lack of facilities to house defendants.
The change, announced recently by U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller, includes civil cases for defendants who live in a five-county area of southeast Alabama.
Jesse Seroyer, the U.S. Marshal for the Middle of Alabama, said a contract was signed to house federal prisoners at Dothan City Jail. He also said if the need arises, the government has the option of moving a trial to Montgomery.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)